About

$14,702

pledged of $8,000 goal

255

backers

Last
November, after leaving my last job, I launched a small project on Kickstarter, Fiks:Reflective Rim
Stripes. I had a goal to raise $1,000 and ended up raised over $8,000 and
turned the project into a full-time job.

Now,
I’m back seeking help to launch a line of stylish and fashionable
reflective clothing. We are starting with a collection of reflective T
shirts, with the ultimate goal to expand into other garments.

The shirts

Bricks Tank Top - Photo by Lauren Boback

-Fashionable and stylish-Quality garments and materials-Chemical free process-Domestically produced

This
collection of shirts were all designed with form in mind as well as
function. We wanted to create apparel that will not only help keep you
seen at night, but also looks great during the day. A lot of
consideration was taken when working on positive vs. negative space and
placement-- not only for comfort and breathability, but also to maximize
nighttime visibility. We are also utilizing reflective materials in
colors other than silver--something that no one else really offers.

For
this first stage of clothing, everything is being produced on American
Apparel shirts. I chose these for a few reasons—most people are familiar
with the quality and fit, we can buy them direct from the manufacturer
(AA), and they have the near-perfect shirt, drirelease® T.

From American Apparel's website:A
patented Poly/Cotton blend that utilizes the best features of synthetic
and natural fibers to create a fabric that is wicking, fast-drying and
environmentally-friendly.drirelease®
features FreshGuard, a natural odor neutralizer that prevents odor
causing bacteria from cultivating in the garment. drirelease® is not
treated with any chemicals, and feels like a natural fabric. Because all
features are built into the yarns, the benefits of drirelease® won't
wash or wear out. Wicking and fast drying performance will last a
minimum of 30 washes.

Since
drirelease® Ts are only available in black and white, we are offer
other colors in the very popular American Apparel Fine Jersey Short
Sleeve t Shirts.

Code (Black drirelease®, Aqua - Sizes XS-XXL)

Print (White drirelease®, Purple - Sizes XS-XXL)

Bikes (Black drirelease®, Pink - Sizes XS-XXL)

Photo by Lauren Boback

Bricks (White drirelease®, New Silver Tank)

Photo by Lauren Boback

Photo by Lauren Boback

Kids Code (Sunshine Yellow - Sizes Y4-Y12)

Kids Bike (Ash White Stripe - Sizes Y4-Y12)

In
addition to these designs, we will release one additional design for
every 50 project backers, to the first 150. This means you will have your
choice from an even larger selection for your reward.

How retroreflective technology worksInstead
of being screen printed, these shirts are produced using CAD cut films
that are melted onto the fabric. These special films are embedded with
microscopic glass beads that bounce light around to reflect it towards
the source instead of away from it.

What
this means is light from a vehicle’s headlights is bounced back towards
the vehicle to be seen by the driver. This not only highlights you to
the driver, but it also prevents you from being a distraction to drivers
not headed in your direction.

This
kind of technology isn’t anything new--it has been used for years on
emergency vehicles, road workers clothing, and road signs. What we are
doing is taking this idea and translating it into a stylish and
functional package that anyone would want to wear just about anywhere.What your money will be used forIf
we reach our funding goal, most of the money will go towards buying
more equipment, shirts, reflective material, and tags. Though, we
already have the equipment to begin production on a small scale,
upgrading these machines will allow production to run more efficiently,
thus reducing costs.

In
addition to simply purchasing materials and equipment, the rest of the
funding will go towards marketing and getting us to the biggest bicycle
trade show in the country, Interbike. Showing our products at Interbike
will give us a chance to get exposure to a much larger audience than
otherwise possible, with the ultimate goal to get Fiks:Reflective
products in your local shop.

What makes Fiks:Reflective differentFrom
the beginning, Fiks:Reflective has been committed to not only
designing, but also producing fairly priced goods while outsourcing as
little as possible. While designing, producing, and distributing goods
all in-house isn't an easy job, it allows us to go from concept to
finished product very quickly and it also gives us control to maintain
quality and fix problems we otherwise would not have.

Rewards

In addition to these reflective shirts, we are offering a few other cool rewards for backing this project, including reflective sticker packs, and invites to our launch party / trunk show in Pittsburgh where will have will beer, wine, and food and you'll have the chance to buy some our of one-off pieces of reflective apparel at discounted prices.

Special thanks to:Kris Mortensen and Kevin Dreher for the fantastic video work and Lauren Boback of Status Photography for photo work.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $45 or more
About $45

USA: Your pick of a Premium Reflective Shirt in a size from XS-XL (add $5 for 2X). + Invitation to the Fiks:Reflective Apparel Launch Party and Trunk Sale + Small Fiks:Reflective Sticker Pack + Free Shipping + Thank you on the F:R website.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $49 or more
About $49

USA: 2nd EARLY DELIVERY : Get your pick of a Premium Reflective Shirt in a size from XS-XL (add $5 for 2X). + Invitation to the Fiks:Reflective Apparel Launch Party and Trunk Sale + Small Fiks:Reflective Sticker Pack + Free Shipping. + Thank you on the F:R website. These will after the EARLY DELIVERY Shipping reward level ships, most likely 1-2 weeks after payment clearing. ($60 Retail Value)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

USA: EARLY DELIVERY : Get your pick of a Premium Reflective Shirt in a size from XS-XL (add $5 for 2X). + Invitation to the Fiks:Reflective Apparel Launch Party and Trunk Sale + Small Fiks:Reflective Sticker Pack + Free Shipping. + Thank you on the F:R website.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $60 or more
About $60

International: EARLY DELIVERY : Get your pick of a Premium Reflective Shirt in a size from XS-XL (add $5 for 2X). + Small Fiks:Reflective Sticker Pack + Free Shipping. + Thank you on the F:R website. These will ship just a few days after payment clearing ($70 Retail Value)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $85 or more
About $85

USA: Your pick of TWO Premium Reflective Shirt in a size from XS-XL (add $10 for 2X). + Invitation for TWO to the Fiks:Reflective Apparel Launch Party and Trunk Sale + Small Fiks:Reflective Sticker Pack + Free Shipping + Thank you on the F:R website.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $180 or more
About $180

USA: Your pick of FOUR Premium Reflective Shirt in a size from XS-XL (add $15 for 2X ). + Invitation for TWO to the Fiks:Reflective Apparel Launch Party and Trunk Sale + FOUR Small Fiks:Reflective Sticker packs + Free Shipping + Thank you on the F:R website.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $200 or more
About $200

USA: We will work with you to create a custom designed shirt for you of which you will receive two of + Your pick of a Premium Reflective Shirt in a size from XS-XL (add $5 for 2X). + Invitation to the Fiks:Reflective Apparel Launch Party and Trunk Sale + Small Fiks:Reflective Sticker Pack + Free Shipping + Thank you on the F:R website.